Yes, State of Idaho EMT Certification License is required as a condition of employment, but is not required at the time of application. Applicant will have 30 days from date of hire to obtain and provide proof of Idaho State Certification.

Coeur d'Alene has three ambulances and three fire stations covering about 14.90 square miles. Since most of our full-time firefighters are cross-trained as emergency medical technicians (basic, intermediate & paramedics), we can also provide emergency medical services on our fire engines. In order for us to respond in four to six minutes, we send a fire truck and an ambulance on serious calls and when the ambulance response will be longer than six minutes. This way, we get an EMT to you fast, quickly followed by the ambulance.

A multi-purpose fire extinguisher is best for the home. Look for the rating to be at least 2A:10B:C on the label. This extinguisher can be used on any type of fire commonly found in the home. It will often be labeled A-B-C.

As a fire burns, it moves upward then outward. Breaking the windows and/or cutting holes in the roof acts like a chimney and allows fresh air to fill the building. This action alone can save a tremendous amount of property. It cuts down on the smoke damage and makes conditions more favorable for firefighters to enter the building.

Fire often travels up, inside walls undetected for a long time. Fires that are left undetected can re-ignite several hours later and cause extensive damage. Coeur d'Alene has thermal-imaging cameras that allow firefighters to see heat via infrared technology, helping to reduce the need to always cut holes.

The Coeur d Alene Fire Department needs a minimum of 15 to 18 firefighters on scene for any report of a structure fire to meet many of the standards established by the National Fire Protection Association (NFPA). Our minimum response to a fire includes: two engines (pumpers); one ladder (aerial) truck; two ambulances; one medic rig, two mutal aid engines and a Chief officer. It may seem like the Calvary but it's the necessary response.

Sometimes several units are dispatched to the same incident. The first unit may have arrived on the scene, surveyed the situation and informed the dispatcher that the situation was under control. All other responding units were cancelled and put back into service, ready to take another call. Most likely, when you see an emergency vehicle go with lights and siren through an intersection and then slow down and turn the emergency lights off, they have been cancelled from the call they were going on.

Never pull into oncoming traffic or into an intersection. While we recommend you pull to the right to make way for emergency vehicles, we also caution you to never pull into traffic to avoid a fire truck or ambulance. Stay calm, play it safe and wait until you can safely get out of the way.

Our full-time firefighters work 24 hour shifts, which means they eat lunch and dinner at the firehouse. To do so, they may need to stop at the store to purchase groceries. Rather than sending one person and reducing the engine staffing, the entire crew goes together so, if needed, they can respond to 911 calls immediately.

No, at this time CDAFD does not accept donations of any toys or stuffed animals. While we appreciate the offer, we are not currently in need of these items. Please contact the Coeur d’Alene Police Department at (208) 769-2320.

Most battery powered smoke detectors will chirp sporadically when the battery is weak. We recommend that you change the batteries once a year, perhaps a significant day such as your birthday, or when you change your clocks in the spring or fall. Also, vacuum the detector once or twice a year to remove any dust or cobwebs. This will cut down on false alarms. Remember to always test battery powered detectors after a vacation or having been away from home for more than a week. The battery may have gone dead and you may have missed its warning alarm.

If a smoke detector is sounding, there is a reason! Never ignore the sound of a smoke detector! You and your family must be able to escape quickly and safely.